CLEVELAND, OH ---- The Cleveland Indians and Executive Vice President and General Manager MARK SHAPIRO today named MANNY ACTA the 40th Manager in Franchise History. He is signed thru 2012 with a club option for 2013.

Acta, who will turn 41 on January 11, has been a coach or manager at the Major League level each of the last eight seasons since 2002. He most recently served as the Manager of the Washington Nationals for two and one half seasons after being named to the post on November 14, 2006, becoming just the 2nd manager in Nationals franchise history while succeeding Frank Robinson. During his time with the Nationals he compiled a record of 158-252 (.385). During his first season in 2007 he led the Nationals to a fourth place finish in the competitive National League East Division after the team recorded three straight last place finishes from 2004-06. The 2007 Nationals employed 14 rookies and 13 different starting pitchers.

He originally broke into the Majors as the third base/infield coach of the Montreal Expos in 2002 and held that position for three seasons from 2002-2004. Acta then moved onto the same position on the Major League staff of the New York Mets in 2005 & 2006 before being named the manager of the Washington Nationals.

The Dominican Republic native holds dual citizenship in both the Dominican Republic and United States and is the only active manager in the big leagues and just the 4th manager overall from the baseball-rich island.

Acta began his post playing career in the Houston Astros Player Development System in 1992 and started his managerial career in 1993 at Class A Auburn (30-46) of the short season New-York Penn League. He managed for eight seasons in the Houston Astros system and was named the Florida State League Manager of the Year in 1999 after guiding Kissimmee to the Florida State League Championship.

In addition to both major and minor league managerial experience, Acta also has served as a manager for four seasons in both the Dominican and Venezuelan winter leagues. During the 2003 and 2004 Dominican Winter league seasons he guided Licey to the winter league championship and was named the Manager of the Year. Acta also managed the Dominican Republic's team to a semi-final appearance in the inaugural World Baseball Classic in 2006. Manny's playing career spanned six seasons at the minor league level from 1986-1991 in the Houston Astros organization.

"We are very excited to have Manny Acta as our Major League manager," said Executive Vice President and General Manager MARK SHAPIRO. "After speaking with an impressive array of candidates, we feel that Manny is a very strong and experienced leader who possesses great energy and enthusiasm along with tremendous communication skills and a positive mindset that will command a presence in the dugout, clubhouse and with our fans."

"I am very excited to become part of the Cleveland Indians family," said Cleveland Indians Manager MANNY ACTA. "I look forward to working with this talented group of young men who seem to possess a lot of energy and passion for their work. I believe we will grow together as a team with the ultimate goal of bringing a championship to Cleveland and its fans."